Make a difference for yourself and your community! Could you answer the calls for help? Are you the person your family and friends turn to when they need to talk? Can you remain calm in stressful situations? Can you listen to someone and empathize with them without passing judgment? If you can answer yes to these questions, Crisis Call Center needs you!

Training is held four times a year. For information about upcoming training dates, please view the Training Brochure and Volunteer Application below.

You must be able to physically volunteer at our center in the Reno, Nevada area. If you are interesting in volunteering in a different region, please call 2-1-1 for volunteer opportunities your area, or visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline center locator here.

Crisis line volunteers respond to calls dealing with issues such as substance abuse, domestic violence, child/elder abuse and neglect, suicide, loneliness, and depression. Our crisis line service is available 24/7/365 for individuals who need someone to talk to and have nowhere else to turn.

The Sexual Assault Support Services program offers emergency face-to-face crisis intervention and advocacy for sexual assault victims and their families and/or friends 24/7/365. Advocates respond in person to local area hospitals or law enforcement agencies to provide much-needed support and assistance for those who have been victimized.

What kind of training do I need?

Crisis Lines and Sexual Assault Support Services volunteers receive 73 hours of intensive training over a six-week period. The Centerís training emphasizes good listening and communication skills. Guest speakers discuss a broad range of topics that volunteers will encounter. Role Plays are an important part of training and help prospective volunteers practice newly-acquired skills. Once training is completed, volunteers have the skills necessary to answer the crisis line or respond to a victim of sexual assault.

How much time will volunteering take?

After you have completed the training sequence, Crisis Lines volunteers are asked to volunteer one four-hour shift per week between the hours of 8 a.m. and midnight. (Overnight shifts are covered by staff members.) Volunteers are able to arrange these shifts around their own busy schedules and can work regular shifts or can fill shifts when their time permits.

Volunteers providing services to victims of sexual assault are scheduled for a minimum of three 12-hour on-call shifts per month. Sexual Assault Support Services volunteers are dispatched to the hospital as needed, any time of the day or night. All Crisis Call Center volunteers are asked to commit to at least one year of active service; however, many volunteers choose to stay on with us well beyond their initial commitment. Volunteers are also required to attend at least three in-service training classes per year. These are offered for free at the center or through a variety of community opportunities.

Volunteers who have been active for a while often find they want to expand their contribution to the Center. A volunteer can be active on both the Crisis Line and Sexual Assault Support Services programs after they have completed their initial one-year commitment. Additionally, volunteers often choose to assist in the training for new volunteers.

Whatís in it for me?

Many volunteers come to Crisis Call Center to gain the skills they will need as they enter human and social service professions. However, volunteers often find that the communication skills that they learn serve them well in their personal and family relationships as well.

The Centerís training programs are intensive, and personal growth occurs for everyone involved. Self-discovery and emotional processing are all part of becoming a volunteer at the Center. This growth continues through the processing of personal issues that arise as a result of calls volunteers receive or cases of sexual assault they respond to. Being a part of the Center allows staff and volunteers to support each other as well as those individuals who need our assistance. Being a part of the Center is a learning and growth experience that will never be forgotten.

Are there other things volunteers can do for the Crisis Call Center?

There are many ways to assist the Center. We often need help with mailings, events, public relations and marketing, fundraising, and soliciting donations. We are always interested in speaking with people interesting in helping to promote the stability and continuing growth of the Center.

We are always looking for people to volunteer their time helping us with our eventsómarketing, soliciting donations, graphic design, or hosting an event. Bring your talent and help us create amazing events! Email info@crisiscallcenter.org and tell us about your interest today!

How can I find out more?

If you would like to know more about becoming a volunteer, or would like information on our next training, please call 775-784-8085. We would be happy to discuss the possibilities with you!